Rotherham United join transfer tussle for Wigan Athletic man | OneFootball

Highlights

Rotherham are reportedly among the clubs targeting Wigan Athletic attacker Callum Lang, but are set to face competition from League One sides Derby County and Portsmouth.

Darren Witcoop reported on X that the former Wigan Athletic manager, Leam Richardson is keen to bring Lang to the New York stadium as he looks to bolster his attacking force.

Richardson's Millers sit bottom of the Championship, eight points from safety and have had struggles in front of goal, scoring just 24 times in 27 league games.

His side also have the second-worst defence in the division, conceding 51 goals, with only Blackburn Rovers conceding more.

Rotherham are one of a number of clubs interested in signing Lang, with League One leaders Portsmouth and promotion chasers Derby County also reportedly looking at Lang.

Callum Lang's attacking threat

Callum Lang has been a key player for Wigan since breaking into the first team. He has featured 143 times for the Latics, scoring 31 times and providing 18 assists.

The 25-year-old plays predominantly as a right-winger for Wigan, but has also played as a centre forward and a second striker.

The Englishman has had a quiet season for struggling Wigan so far in 2023/24. Despite featuring 23 times in League One, he has scored just twice and provided two assists.

Lang's most successful season for Wigan came in 2021/22 when he scored 15 goals and provided seven assists as his side finished top of League One, scoring 82 goals in the process.

Rotherham's struggling strikers

Rotherham's position at the base of the Championship has not been helped by their poor attacking output. They have scored the third fewest goals in the division, with only fellow strugglers QPR and Sheffield Wednesday scoring less.

The South Yorkshire side have struggled to create and score goals all season.

The Millers' top scorers Hakeem Odoffin and Jordan Hugill have managed just three goals each and their joint second top scorer, Fred Onyadinma, has now returned to Luton after a loan spell which saw him score twice.

The loss of Onyadinma also creates problems when it comes to creating chances. The winger managed two assists for Leam Richardson's side, second behind Cafu with three.

Lang would slot straight into the Rotherham side and would provide a different option in the attack, providing a goal-scoring option from out wide.

Callum Lang's future

With Wigan among the struggling sides in League One this season and Callum Lang's contract up in the summer of 2025, Wigan may decide to cash in on the forward to avoid him leaving on a free transfer next season.

Wigan don't look likely to be playing in the Championship anytime soon and Lang's best option for his future could be to leave the Latics.

A move to Rotherham would give him Championship football sooner rather than later. However, Leam Richardson's side don't look like they will be able to stay in the division for long.

Richardson would no doubt relish the opportunity to have Lang playing for him again and the addition of the Englishman would put them in a much better position for immediate promotion back to the Championship if the Millers are relegated this season.

Wigan manager, Shaun Maloney previously provided an update on Lang's position at the club, stating that he hopes he will stay with the Latics.

Lang's best option could be to hold out for interest from League One's promotion chasers in Portsmouth and Derby, or stay with Wigan and hope they can turn things around next season.